Bathing sandal



' 'July lv, 1930. L. AUSTER 1,769,328 y BATHING SANDAL Filed Aug. 20,1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F-L Luxus 'USTH.

C1301 nui .July l, 1930. AUSTER 1,769,328

' BATHING sANDAL Filed Aug. 20, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Whg/.7. 5'

l 9 l Luxs Ausw-R...

dnnes* Patented July 1., 1930 LoUIs AUs'rEn, or NEw Yonx, N. 'gl

BATHING SANDAL Application led August 20, 1928. Serial No. 800,618.

The present invention relates to bathing sandals and to a method ofmanufacturing the same, and consists in the steps of procedure inmaking, and combinations and arrangements of elements forming thearticle as hereinafter described and particularly set forth in theaccompanying claims.

Present known bathing slippers are characterized xin that they aremade'in several 1o pieces united together, as by cementing, in theso-called curing process with the result that there is no uniformity inthe strength of the article and consequently the different portions ofthe slipper requently come apart due to insecure union along the seams.To

avoid this efect it is here proposed to produce a bathing sandal or sliper in one piece and in a single and unbro en process of moulding.

Present made slippers are furthermore bulky and require individualpacking boxes with the natural result that considerable s ace is neededfor keeping on hand a reasona le supply or stock on the part of thedealers, and this in turn has resulted in many kdealers refusing tocarry a line of bathing slippers for ready sale to the trade. There is afurther disadvantage in that the present day bathing slippers inaddition bulky are tending to run in styles, and this obviously furtheraggravates the disadvantage above referred to.-

From the standpoint -of the wearer the present known bathing sli persare not only heavy in themselves but t ey collect and retain wateraround the wearers feet and thereby considerably retard ones rogress inswimming. As a consequence o the slippers becoming too heavy they arefrequently forced oft while swimming, and lost, and for this reason manybathers prefer to remove the slippers before entering the Water.

Another objection is that if the slipper be worn for some time while outof the water the wearers feetv being entirely encased in rubber becomeexcessively hot and perspire, thereby causing great discomfort.

To overcome these disadvantages it is proposed to provide a bathingslipper or sandal 50 that is moulded in preferably one piece and tobeing consequently is lighter, cheaper, stronger, and less bulky thanthe kind now used. Secondly, to provide a sandal which during wear willpermit free circulation of air to every part of the foot while on landand eiit'ec- 55 tively shed water when swimming. And thirdly, to providea sandal which may be easily put on and removed, readily adjustable tothe foot, and neat and attractive in ap earance. y

further advantage-and an essential one -is to produce a bathing slipperwhich with its foot attaching appendages may be manufactured, shipped,and stored in a substantial lay-flat condition all to the end of economyin cost of production, conservation of space both for the dealer andowner, permitting a full line of articles being easlly carried by adealer with the minimum space in his sales room, in like mannerrequiring minimum space in transportation,l and which because of thepersonal advantages aforesaid will commend the article to the wearers.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the sandal.

Figure 2 a side elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 a perspective view showing the sandal in its lay-flatcondition.

Figure 4 a longitudinal sectional view of a 80 modified construction.

Figure 5 a perspective view showing the sandal as produced by the mould.

Figure 6 a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Figure5.

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 7 7 of Figure6; and,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the modified construction of sandal ascoming from the mould.

Referring to the construction in further detail and wherein likereference characters designate corresponding parts in the diiferentviews, the sandal consists of a sole portion 9 of suitable pliablematerial,` preferably rub- 95 ber, and having a heel portion 10. Thesole and heel portions may be of uniform thickness throughout or theheel portion 10 may b e of greater thickness than the sole proper ifpreferred.. Suitable means are provided 199 vstrap 11 having projectingportions 12 that connect with the sole portion 9 at substantially theextreme edge thereof as shown. This construction of the toe strapportions 11 and 12 ives in effect the usual crossing toe strapscharacterizing the ordinary household sandal.

A pair of instep straps 13 are formed integral and continuous with thesole portion 9 as clearlyvshownl i`n Figure 3, and the free ends of saidstraps are apertured as at 14 to receivethe detachable button 15 foradjustably holding the straps across the instep of the wearer. Insteadof the button member 15 any other suitable form of adjustable securingmeans may be employed. And instead of moulding said instep straps 13 astwo separate members the invention contemplates moulding the same as onecontinuous piece adapted to be severed after the moulding operation aswill be understood.

A heel piecev 16 has bifurcated connection 17 at the extreme end of theheel portion 10 and at its upper end said member 16 has a transverselyextending and continuous member providing a pair of straps of suitablelength for encircling the ankle of the wearer. Apertures 19'are formedin each of the ankle straps 18 to receive the adjustable fastening means20 as with the instepstrap 13.

In the construction disclosed in Figure 4 the sandal is in allrespectsthe same as that described aforesaid excepting that in thisinstance the sole portion 9 is provided with a continuous and marginalside portion or flange 21. With this arrangement the several strapportions for holding the sandal to the foot are formed integral andcontinuous with the marginal side edge 21 after the same manner as saidstraps are attached to the sole portion of sandal as described withrespect to Figure l.

It will therefore be seen that the bathing sandal herein disclosed ismade up of the minimum amount of material, is produced and sold. in itslay-fiat form, has the least possible weighton the foot of the wearer,and thereby contributes to giving maximum comfort during walking orswimming. The sandal ,will remain firmly on the foot without discomfortfrom perspiration, and due to the novel form of foot attaching meansthere is ample ventilation entirely around the foot,

.and while swimming there is the least possible hindrance to actioninasmuch as there is a complete avoidance of water pockets but on theother hand effective shedding of water.

In Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, the sandal is shownas it comes fromthemould. In the manufacturing operation1 suitable mould the juncturev` ofthe heel piece 16 isvfolded vunder and immediately against the soleportion 9 after the manner clearly shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7. v 4

It will be understood, of course, that in all places on the sandal orits attaching means Awhere there is an appreciable foldover or bend inthe 'material that the moulding element thereat will obviate anyliability of break or rupture in the texture or body of the rubber orother material.

It will be understood that the invention as herein disclosed is notlimited to the details of construction shown and described as these vmaybe varied without departing from the spirit of the invention as definedby the claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A -bathing sandal comprising'v a sole member of rubber, and means forsecuring the sole to the wearers foot; said means including adjustablestraps having free ends and formed integral with thesole member.

2. A bathing sandal comprising a sole member of rubber, and integral andadjustablemeans for securing the sole to the wearers foot; said meansincluding ankle and instep straps having free end portions.

3. A bathing sandal constructed of rubber comprising a sole portion, andan integral ankle portion including a pair of straps; said ankle portionbeing-formed in double width and scoredmedially thereof for the purposeof severing to provide ankle attaching straps substantially asdescribed.

4. As an article of manufacture a bathing sandal having a sole portionand integral foot attaching portions, said foot attaching portions beingformed continuous and adapted to be severed to provide strap members,said sole and foot attaching portions complete forming a lay-flatarticle of appreciably narrow thickness for the purpose set forth.

5. As an article of manufacture a bathing sandal constructed ofrubberand having a sole portion, instep and ankle attaching portions, saidankle portion being formed in double Width and scored medially thereoffor the purpose of severing to provide ankle attaching straps, saidsole, instep, and ankle attaching straps complete all forming a. layiatarticle of appreciably narrow thickness for the purpose set forth.

In Witness whereof, 1 have hereunto set my hand at Washington, Districtof Columbia, this 16th day of August, A. D. nineteen hundred andtwenty-eight.

LOUIS AUSTER.

